Filipino and Japanese runners shine at the 2019 Laguna Phuket Marathon

Phuket’s largest mass participation sports event, the Laguna Phuket Marathon, welcomed a record 12,000-plus runners from 73 countries for its 14th edition held Sunday June 9.

The largest nationalities represented at this year's Laguna Phuket Marathon were Thai, Japanese, Chinese and British. There was also a large contingent of runners from the Philippines and who made their presence known with Richard Salano and Prince Joey Lee finishing first and second in the Men's Half Marathon, and Christine Hallasgo (PHI) and Christabel Martes (PHI) placing first and third in the Women's Half Marathon.

Japanese runners dominated the 10.5km distance with Hiroki Nakajima and Hisashi Kitamura claiming first and second in the Men's division ahead of Supit Chantharat (THA) in third. In the Women's race, Phuket-based Dimity-Lee Duke (AUS) won in a time of 00:41:30, 23 seconds ahead of Tomomi Nakajima (JPN), who out-raced compatriot Sawa Aoki.

The Japanese couple of Hiroki Nakajima and Tomomi Nakajima won their respective Marathon distances at the 2017 Laguna Phuket Marathon and returning this year ran 10.5km on Saturday, and the Marathon on Sunday. While Hiroki was out sprinted to finish fourth overall in the Men's race, Tomomi went on to win the Women's distance for the second time ahead of Amy Mumford (GBR) and April Rose Diaz (PHI).

The Men's Marathon was won by Japanese runner, Takashi Mino.

Top athletes from Thailand included Thai national team runner Supit Chantharat who finished third in the 10.5km and sixth in the Men's Marathon.

Famed for it's beautiful course around Laguna Phuket and the island's northern beaches, organisers strived to reduce single-use plastics on the course this year.